In the weeks leading up to the 2010 Louisville Polar Plunge the numbers that started to pile up on the Polar Plunge fundraising Web site indicated that something big was likely to happen come Plunge day. And those numbers didn't lie, as Feb. 27 at Tumbleweed on the River was the largest, most successful Polar Plunge in Special Olympics Kentucky history.
In its second year at the Tumbleweed venue, nearly 1,300 Polar Bears lined up to take the Plunge. And in the process they raised a staggering $340,000 for Special Olympics Kentucky programs in Louisville Metro and throughout the state. Those numbers eclipse the records set in 2008 for the event when 1,211 Polar Bears raised just over $305,000.
Amazingly, more than one fifth of that total was raised by one team. Team Ice Socks, which has been the top fundraising team at the event for several years running, outdid themselves in 2010. Led by team captain Russell Miller, the Ice Socks had their largest team ever in 2010 with 58 members. They combined to raise $53,555.49. In the last two years alone the Ice Socks have raised more than $92,000 and are approaching $150,000 after just five years. In addition to being the Top Fundraising Team, Miller was once again named the King of the Polar Plunge as the top male fundraiser with a total of $9,017.45. Fellow Ice Socks member Tracy Davenport was named the Queen of the Plunge for the second year in a row as well after raising $3,073.
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| Special Olympics Kentucky Board Chair Joel Ross (right) takes the Plunge with his group from Texas Roadhouse. |
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Another portion of the record fundraising amount came from Tumbleweed itself. This year's sales of their special Polar Plunge dessert as well as the success of several Plunge-related events the restaurant held leading up the Plunge allowed Tumbleweed to increase its event contribution from $15,000 to just over $18,000 this year.
The other individual winner was 10-year-old Bailey Sivori who was Princess of the plunge (top female fundraiser between 6 and 12-years old) after raising $848. Like Miller and Davenport, Sivori was a repeat winner.
In addition to the Ice Socks, who also won the Corporate Division Polar Cup as the largest team in that division, Team Awards also went to Louisville Metro Corrections
FOP Lodge 77 and the Oldham County NASCAR Plungers. FOP Lodge 77 won the Law Enforcement Division Polar Cup for the second year in a row with nine members raising $4,413.53. The NASCAR Plungers had 23 team members raising $2,372.26. Both teams were also repeat Polar Cup winners.
But the hope for the Polar Plunge has always been for it to be more than just a major fundraiser. And just like in the fundraising department, this year's event surpassed all previous Plunges. The fun on the riverfront started early in the morning with the annual costume contest. This year's winner in the Individual/Pairs Division was a couple dressed as shapes from the popular video game Tetris. The Golden Plunger in the Group Division went to a quartet dressed as "One Night Stands" (see picture). A fun atmosphere hung around the riverfront all day long as Polar Bears and spectators not only enjoyed the Plunge, but visited the Celebration tent throughout the day to grab a beverage or a snack or have a piece of the Special Olympics Kentucky 40th Anniversary cake that was provided by GW's Cakes. The tent also featured live music by Andrew Newton.
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This group came up with clever "1 Night Stand" costumes, taking home the Golden Plunger in the Group Division. |
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Our thanks to everyone who made the Plunge such a tremendous success, especially our Opening Ceremonies emcee Christie Dutton from WAVE 3 and event emcee Mike Kline of Gen X Radio 100.5 FM — and all of our sponsors — presenting sponsor Tumbleweed on the River who played host to the event for the first time; WAVE 3, 84 WHAS, 93.1 The Fox and Gen X Radio 100.5, all of whom dedicated air time to promoting the event; CBS Outdoor, which provided billboards; promotional partner Louisville Mojo, which also had a team jump for the sixth consecutive year; Watson's Pools, which provided hot tubs for the event; The Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run, which produced the event and also had several members take the Plunge and AAA Travel which provided a Caribbean cruise for two on Carnival Cruise Lines that went to a Polar Bear drawn from qualifiers at all six Kentucky Polar Bear Plunges this year. Thanks as well to Krispy Kreme, who provided donuts and hot chocolate for the Polar Bears and spectators; GW's Cakes and Andrew Newton.
We also, of course need to thank the men and women of Louisville Metro Police and Fire Departments who manned the docks to keep our Polar Bears safe.
The Louisville Polar Bear Plunge was one of five Plunges in Kentucky in 2009. The events produced records in the state for both participants and dollars raised. Polar Bear Plunges in Lake Cumberland, Lexington, Louisville, Newport, Owensboro and Western Kentucky saw nearly 2,500 people take the Plunge, raising more than $618,000 for Special Olympics, both are records for the Polar Plunge in Kentucky.
For information about sponsorships or how to participate in the 2011 Polar Plunge either as a sponsor, participant or team leader, contact Candace Thompson, Special Olympics Kentucky Special Events Coordinator at 326-5002 or 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at cthompson@soky.org.
King of the Plunge — Russell Miller; $9,017 raised
Queen of the Plunge — Tracy Davenport; $3,073 raised
Princess of the Plunge — Bailey Sivori; $848 raised
Polar Cup Corporate Division — Ice Socks (Champion Trucking); 58 members, $53,555.49 raised
Polar Cup School Division — Oldham County NASCAR Plungers; 23 members, $2,372.26 raised
Polar Cup Law Enforcement Division — Metro Corrections Lodge 77; 7 members, $4,413.53 raised
Top Fundraising Team — Ice Socks; 58 members, $53,555.49 raised
Costume Contest Winners — "Tetris" and "One Night Stands"
